It is time for India and Pakistan to work together on climate change, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on September 29, as he highlighted the impact of global warming that has caused unprecedented floods in his country. Mr. Bilawal is in Washington DC for a series of bilateral meetings.
He told a group of Pakistani media that given the situation his country is in due to floods, "it’s time that both India and Pakistan work together on the issue of climate change".
“One-third of our country is under water. One in seven people (is impacted by floods). If we are saying that to fight climate change, the US and China should work together. (We) should think about India and Pakistan working together on the issue of climate change,” Mr. Bilawal said.
Scientists and experts attribute this disastrous situation in Pakistan to the melting glaciers because of climate change. The United States has announced a massive $66 million humanitarian aid to the people of Pakistan.
In response to another question on reform in the U.N. Security Council, Mr. Bilawal reiterated Pakistan’s stand on opposing India’s bid for permanent membership in the global body's organ.
Pakistan is in favour of the abolition of the U.N. Security Council veto, he said.
In his reference to neighbouring India, Mr. Bilawal said “we don't have that reciprocal partner over there”.
“2018-19 has made it impossible for us to engage (with India) for a whole host of reasons,” he said, adding that if there is any one area where the two nations can work together, that is climate change.
“Because, what we have experienced, I wouldn't wish this upon my worst enemies,” he said.
The floods have killed over 1,600 people and displaced more than 33 million others in Pakistan.
The floods have left a third of the country submerged under water and caused estimated damage of nearly $30 billion.
